The Art of Ethan

by Cara North

  “Grace—come—on!” Megan yelled from the sidewalk. She had a cab waiting.

  “Goodnight, Ethan.” She turned to leave. He caught her arm and pulled her back.

  “Is that it?” His brow wrinkled.

  “What?” Grace stared at him.

  “I see how it is.” Ethan nodded.

  “What?” Grace searched his eyes. Megan yelled again. Ethan turned an angry look toward Megan, and she shut up. He turned back to Grace and only softened the look a little.

  “Do you love me? I mean it, Grace, don’t play with me, and don’t say it if you don’t mean it.” He was serious. He was making a scene. Everyone was watching discreetly now.

  “Are you alright?” she asked.

  “Grace.”

  “Yes!”

  “Okay.” Ethan lightened his tone. “I just have to be sure that you’re sure. Are you positive?”

  “I’m positive.” Grace giggled. He was nervous. “Watch, I’ll show you.”

  Grace knew he wasn’t sure about her feelings now. She had embarrassed herself in front of his mother. Megan had caught them that first time, and she practically told Joshua they were sex addicts, so what did she have to lose? So, at the top of her lungs on the streets of New York, she shouted the words...

  “Ethan Young, I LOVE YOU!”

  Everyone stopped talking and actually stared. His mother grabbed her husband and squeezed him tightly. Even Megan smiled. Strangers and other guests who were in earshot clapped. Ethan’s face blushed, and his eyes lit up in a smile.

  “I believe you. You didn’t have to yell,” he said with a boyish charm. “I love you, too.”

  It meant the world to him that she was ready to show it to everyone. He was ready to move away. If Joshua got a job there, it would be even better. He would have family nearby. If Grace moved to New York, Joshua could move into her house and look after it. Either way, it would work out.

  Grace smiled. All the while she thought she was being insecure, Ethan was just as scared of being rejected. His large frame, his masculine body, the fact that many women wanted him didn’t matter. He had told her he loved her and waited for weeks for her to do the same. For the first time, she saw him as vulnerable as she was, equal.

  Grace had let him in, past the barrier, where no man had gone before. She let him in to the very soul of her existence. She never imagined he would do the same, yet he had.

  Grace left with Megan and watched Ethan walk away with Joshua and Chase. She wished she was going with him instead, but it was her cousin’s wedding, and Megan needed her tonight.

  * * * *

  Joshua sighed heavily when he watched Grace shout her love for Ethan. God, he wished he had gone to North Carolina instead now. Oh, to have a woman so ready to confess love and mean it. Ethan was a lucky bastard, always had been. Joshua was happy for both of his cousins, but he knew there was a threat still looming over Ethan and now Grace. No way could he tell Ethan that Chloe had gone to North Carolina, had been in her home. He had to get to the bottom of things and tonight.

  THE BIG DAY...

  Grace took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Monique, the seamstress, worked on the last stitches. The dress was very detailed, strapless, and flared at the waist into a series of flower petals. Megan had chosen mint green and pink. Grace looked in the mirror. She felt like a ballerina and was sure her outfit would be more appropriate for the stage rather than a wedding. Who dresses her bridesmaids like flowers? Megan. Grace was lucky she was a rose, pretty petals around her breasts, pretty long leaf petals around her waist.

  Grace checked in on the bride. Her dress was beautiful, elegant. The bouquet resembled Grace and the other bridesmaids. Megan was beautiful, stunning to say the least. Her smile was uncontainable.

  “You look beautiful.” Grace smiled, forgiving Megan for the bridesmaid dress immediately.

  “I’m getting married today.” Megan beamed.

  “Yes, you are.” Grace held Megan’s hand. “I love you, Megan. I promise your train will be picture perfect.”

  “I don’t care.” Megan was in wedding bliss. “You’re here, Chase is waiting, and I have a whole new life inside of me.”

  Ethan was right. Megan was changing.

  “See you in a few minutes. Don’t forget to breathe.” Grace let go of her hand.

  The wedding party was in line. Chase was at the altar. Ethan stood next to Grace. The doors were about to open, and the show about to begin. The organ began the song indicating it was time.

  “I can’t wait to pull those petals off.” Ethan smiled down at Grace.

  “This, my love, you can shred.” She fluttered her eyelashes. It was a personal joke between them now.

  “Hello, I’m related to you, things I don’t want to hear.” Stephanie made a sound of disgruntlement. At age nineteen, she rivaled any woman in here with that figure. She was also the one who custom designed the dresses. Because she was in the bridal party, her friends at design school sewed everyone in.

  “Then, turn around, twerp.” Ethan stuck his tongue out at her. Joshua growled at him. He stood next to Stephanie in the line up. Grace could tell he was very protective of his little sister, and she could see why. “Quit growling, Big Dog.”

  Stephanie rolled her eyes, nudged her brother, and looked forward again. The great doors opened, and slowly they began the march down the aisle. Grace couldn’t help but wonder if she would make it down the aisle with Ethan waiting one day. One step at a time, she thought. One step at a time.

  “Do you want a big wedding?” Ethan asked as they walked.

  “No, I want something small and personal.” Grace knew they were just talking.

  It was appropriate for the occasion. They had to figure out how they were going to deal with her pregnancy first. Marriage could be a while, even years away.

  Ethan watched Grace the entire ceremony. His brother was choked up when he said his vows, and for the first time Ethan understood why. It caused a surge and a tear fell. Just one, he turned his head enough to focus on Grace again. That dress was making him crazy. It was tight, fitting every curve, and the petals just begged to be pulled off. She was tearing up, but women are supposed to cry at weddings. His mind started thinking, how fast can they leave the reception and not be rude?

  Megan and Chase exchanged vows. Grace couldn’t help but shed a tear. What surprised her was that Ethan had, too. One single solitary tear silently slipped down his cheek. She wanted to drop the bouquet and go to him, but she kept her feet planted in place.

  Once the ceremony was over, they piled into the limo and headed toward the reception.

  Ethan barely let her breath in the limo, already tugging at the dress. Stephanie actually kicked him in the shin. When he flicked her on the knee, she looked at her big brother, and the two big men started tussling about playfully punching and wrestling.

  They were too big to be fighting, and Grace grabbed them both by the ear and dared them to move out of their seats again. Stephanie applauded. She liked her. The two big dogs sulked and licked their wounded egos by praising each other. Grace just rolled her eyes and laughed with Stephanie.

  Once at the Country Club, Grace noticed her instantly. The tall blonde woman was stick thin wearing a pink suit and ungodly high heels. She had to be at least Ethan’s height and Megan’s weight.

  “This is insane. Who brought her here?” Ethan growled at the sight of her. “How did she get out of jail?”

  “Chloe, I presume?” Grace squeezed his hand. Inside she began to fume, but looking at the woman, something didn’t feel right. She felt sorry for her, not mad.

  “I’m sorry.” Ethan faced Grace and held her hands. “I hate that I’ve put you in this situation. She’s dangerous. We should leave.”

  “I’m not worried about her.” Grace was being honest. The woman seemed sad and frail more than scary. Besides, Chloe wasn’t staring at Ethan, she was staring at Emma.

  Emma Miller was petite, Megan’s size, shapely but
thin. Currently, Emma had her gaze fixed on them. Grace knew instantly which woman was the threat, and Chloe wasn’t it. She started piecing the conversations together in her head. Suddenly, she realized Chloe wasn’t using Ethan to get back at another man. Their only connection was Emma.

  Ethan loomed over Grace not leaving her side for anything or anyone. Megan and Chase lived in their own world. There were hundreds of guests, and Chloe was just another face in the crowd.

  Ethan insisted Chase dance with their mother for the entire mother-son dance. Joe Young danced with his new daughter-in-law, Megan, for the father-daughter dance. Grace was so touched she wanted to cry. Their entire family was amazing. Megan would have had to sit out the dance at her own wedding. Other fathers had more daughters to contend with for one dance than they could handle. It was funny watching the girls, especially the little ones fight for their dad.

  “Aren’t they adorable?” Grace suddenly hoped she had a little girl growing inside.

  “At that age, yes.” Ethan pointed from the little ones to the teenagers. “That age, no.”

  “Oh, come on. They’re beautiful.” Grace held his hands as she leaned into him.

  “Teenage boys, I was one. I’d kill one in a minute. We need to think boy.” Ethan looked into her eyes and growled a deep sigh. He wanted to leave, had plans of his own tonight.

  Once the formalities were over and regular dancing began, Grace noticed Emma heading straight for them.

  “Ethan.” Emma smiled. “I noticed you came alone and was hoping to steal you for a dance.”

  “Actually, I’m not alone. This is Grace.” Ethan put his arm around Grace claiming her. They had been canoodling all night. She could see that. Something seemed weird about Emma now.

  “Oh, my mistake.” Emma smiled a phony smile and held her hand out. “I’m Emma, Emma...”

  “I know who you are. And yes, you may have one dance with him.” Grace looked the woman square in the eye. This was perfect. Tie Ethan up with Emma, and she could finally talk to Chloe. His nightmare would end tonight.

  “Grace, I...”

  “It’s okay.” Grace winked at him, and he bent to kiss her on the lips. She watched Emma’s face scrunch then return to a faux smile.

  Ethan danced very formally with Emma, who tried to work her way closer to him with every step.

  “Is that her?” Emma wanted to put her arms around him, but he kept her firmly in a boxed position.

  “Yes.” Ethan wasn’t sure why Grace would let him dance with his ex-fiancé so easily. Grace must be up to something, but he had to focus on keeping Emma at a distance. She was really aggressive tonight.

  Grace made a beeline for Chloe. She sat alone at a table and watched Ethan and Emma intently on the floor, moving her head to see through the crowd. Chloe was so focused on them she didn’t notice Grace sit next to her.

  “Chloe, right?” Grace smiled a genuine smile and held out her hand. “I’m Grace, Ethan’s girlfriend.”

  “Oh, hi.” Chloe’s face looked like it was pulled too tight. No expressions could really get through. She had obviously had work done.

  “So, what’s the deal?” Grace was serious.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Chloe, I know you’re his stalker. I also know that all night I’ve been watching you. And you, you have been watching Emma. Emma, however, has been watching Ethan. So what’s the deal, you in love with her? Is that why you almost killed him?”

  “What? That’s preposterous. I only wanted to scare him. I never wanted to hurt him.” Chloe’s face was turning red, and she was nervous. “I’m in love with him.”

  “No, you’re not. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” Grace assured her. “I can see it all over you. You look at her the way I look at Ethan, with big goo-goo eyes.”

  “He took her from me. He wasn’t the first, but she really loves him ... well, needs him.” Chloe looked down at her lap. “I’ve known her forever it seems, since we were teens. We used to be lovers and then when she started really acting, well. Emma’s agent thought it was more marketable to be straight again.”

  Grace knew Emma had obviously done to Chloe what she had done to Ethan and probably every other person who crossed her path—used them, abused them. Now, she wanted what she couldn’t have. That was probably what attracted her to Ethan to begin with.

  “Why did you drug him and take advantage of him? Were you trying to get pregnant?” Grace searched the woman’s eyes for truth.

  “Ewe, no, I didn’t have sex with him. I needed him to think that. I needed him to think I was pregnant, so maybe I could tell her we were together, and she would stop loving him.” Chloe looked down. “He never had sex with me. I lied the first time, too. Good ole rufenol.”

  “Why?” Grace was shocked, scandalized. What was wrong with this woman?

  She kept talking.

  “Then, I could tell her I lost the baby, and he kicked me out, and maybe she would take me back out of pity and hate him in disgust.”

  “She’s a bitch, Chloe, and she doesn’t deserve you.” Grace could tell Emma’s effect on Chloe was strong. “She doesn’t love Ethan. She loves having him. The idea of him, the publicity of him, but she doesn’t love him. Look at me!”

  “I know you love him. I saw you together. I heard him on your porch.” Chloe looked up, tears in her eyes. “Emma posted my bail and sent me to get rid of you. I stayed at the Patterson house, and it was easy to learn all I needed to know from that weasel Mitchell.”

  “What?” Grace was now furious and alarmed. To hear them on the porch, she had to be in her house.

  “He left the door unlocked. I was surprised because he never leaves the door unlocked. Mitchell gave me a key anyway, but I walked in and heard him talking to you. I knew he loved you in an instant. I couldn’t do it.” Chloe looked away.

  “Do what? What were you supposed to do?” Grace pulled her face back around to look at her.

  “Get rid of you.” Chloe sobbed. “I’m going to jail anyway and Emma, well she’s a movie star. No one would believe she was capable of anything like this. I’ve worked it out though.”

  “Worked what out?” Grace was scared and angry. “Chloe, you’re the victim here. Tell the police.”

  “Don’t worry. I can’t hurt you either.” Chloe smiled. “I could never hurt a pregnant woman.”

  “How do you know this?” Grace was shocked beyond belief. This woman should be a detective not a stalker.

  “I saw him take out the baked chicken, dump it in the trash. Tell your neighbor the smell made you sick. He really opened up to those old people next door to you.” Chloe shrugged. “Emma gets sick from chicken now, too. She’s pregnant.”

  “How ... you didn’t.” Grace imagined her sending Ethan’s sperm somehow. She had drugged him, was in her house, who knew what she was capable of. Men must be pawns in their game.

  “No, her agent.” Chloe smiled a half smile. “He’s married. That’s why she needs Ethan back now.”

  “If she loved Ethan, she would have never left. I would never take another’s word over his. And if it meant losing the love of my life if I left, I would stay!”

  “Then, stay Grace McPherson.” Chloe looked at her. “Prove to me Ethan will never be available to Emma, and I will turn myself and her in. Joshua’s around somewhere. I’ve been avoiding him all night. He knows I went to your house. He was waiting for me when I got back, him and some other goon.”

  Grace’s eyes were bright green, fierce. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but she would be damned if these women were going to ruin her life right when it became worth living.

  “What are you doing here, Chloe?” Grace wondered why Joshua hadn’t said anything.

  “I’m getting a deal. I have been debating it, but now I’ll take it.” Chloe smiled at Grace. “He deserves to be happy, so do I.”

  “You want her to stay away from Ethan, right?” Grace understood now. Chloe was nuts, and as long a
s Emma fixated on Ethan, Chloe would, too.

  “Yes. I want him out of our lives.” Chloe looked at Emma, dancing with Ethan. “I can’t believe you handed him over to her like that.”

  “I didn’t hand her shit! You get ready because when I’m finished here, I’m going to let her know that this is the last time she will ever get that close to my man.” Grace was furious. “And that goes for you, too.”

  “You have fifteen minutes before the police arrive.” Chloe looked and nodded at Joshua.

  Grace now looked at the large man headed for them, looking at her like he was going to combust in anger. She had no idea what a dangerous situation she had walked into.

  Chloe looked at Grace with hopeful eyes. She didn’t care about Ethan at all. She just wanted Emma. “He’s coming.”

  “I’ll either break her heart or kick her ass. Ethan is mine, and I’m crazier than all you bitches combined. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal.” Chloe was smiling now.

  Grace could barely believe her own words. She sounded like a pirate. Maybe she was a little closer to her roots after all. But regardless, her old friend Evelyn was a martial arts expert, and she had taught Grace a few tricks. She never had to use them, but she knew she could. Grace marched right up to Ethan and Emma on the floor.

  “Excuse me.” She tapped on Emma’s shoulder with her finger, hard. “You’re done now.”

  “We’re still dancing.” Emma protested, trying to hold onto Ethan.

  Ethan dropped her hand and stepped back. Emma puffed and turned to look at Grace. Her arms folded.

  “I don’t think you know who I am.” Emma looked Grace up and down.

  “Sure I do. You’re the past. I’m the future. I hope you enjoyed your last few minutes because if you ever touch him again, I’ll personally kick your ass!” Grace pushed past her almost knocking her down. “OH, and I know all about you and Chloe. I’d look for a lawyer, bitch!”

  She walked right to Ethan and embraced him, picking up the dance.

  “Holy shit, Grace, what is going on?” Ethan held her nervously. Her eyes were green and flamed with anger. Two things he felt instantly, frightened for her safety, and amazed by her passion.